Department of War Studies

Warfare has been and remains one of the major preoccupations of mankind. Although the threat of major war amongst the leading industrial states has receded, a brief look at current affairs reminds us daily of the continuing risks of war around the world. Wars challenge all aspects of the societies in which they occur and the study of war, therefore, deserves academic study like any other subject in order to gain a greater understanding of a variety of complex questions involved:

• Why do wars occur?
• How might wars be prevented, avoided or resolved?
• How has the character of warfare changed over time?
• Can wars be 'just'?
• How will new challenges such as peacekeeping and the information revolution affect the use of armed force?
• How have developments in modern society affected the military profession?
• Can lessons from history facilitate our understanding of contemporary conflicts and assessment of future risks?

The Department of War Studies is unique in the UK and one of very few university departments in the world devoted exclusively to the multidisciplinary study of war as a phenomenon. The department’s undergraduate programmes provide a forum in which students can study all aspects of the impact of war on society, from ancient to modern history, to the moral and ethical dilemmas it raises, to an analysis of contemporary regional security threats and peace support operations.

The department has always placed a great emphasis on recruiting leading experts who bring with them not only a wealth of knowledge and ideas but an extensive and continually growing network of links with other departments, thinktanks, organisations, policy-making bodies and institutions. The department has been able to develop an ongoing dialogue with members of the scholarly and policy-making community in London and further afield. As a student of the department, you will therefore benefit from many established links held with individuals and organisations in the field.

The department is an acknowledged leader in teaching and research within its specialist areas, and has received the highest possible ratings in successive Research Assessment Exercises.